Farhan Zaidi is preparing for his first Winter Meetings with the Giants

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 26: Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at AT&T Park on August 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants haven’t revealed whether they expect to seriously contend for a playoff berth next season, but regardless of how they view the short-term future, the franchise must still address several pressing roster needs.

New president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is already surveying the free agent and trade markets, but he’s expected to begin much of the heavy-lifting at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, which take place next week.

The Giants aren’t likely to aggressively pursue most of the game’s top free agents, but during his tenure as the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager, Zaidi developed a knack for unearthing valuable, multi-positional contributors and building some of the deepest 40-man rosters in baseball.

Though Zaidi hasn’t publicly stated his top offseason priorities, an analysis of the Giants’ current roster and their new executive’s track record offers an indication of what to expect from the franchise this winter.

1. Corner outfielders

Manager Bruce Bochy believes Steven Duggar is ready to assume a full-time starting role in center field, but the Giants don’t have enough depth in the corners. Mac Williamson is out of options and could be given an opportunity to play regularly early in the year depending on his Cactus League performance while Chris Shaw will likely begin next season at Triple-A.

The Giants could use utility player Alen Hanson in left field, but Zaidi will likely seek to add at least one experienced major leaguer to play in the corners. Free agents Marwin Gonzalez and Michael Brantley are names to watch, as is Avisail Garcia who was recently non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox. Zaidi knows the Giants lack power, so he may take a gamble on a player who can hit 25 home runs but could wind up as a defensive liability in left field.

2. Starting pitching

Zaidi’s Dodgers staffs were often able to overcome injuries to multiple starters because the organization committed to keeping a deep reserve of capable arms on its 40-man roster. With Jeff Samardzija’s status still relatively unknown, the Giants will likely sign at least two starters this offseason, and potentially more if Zaidi can lure veterans on minor-league deals with spring training invitations.

Free agent Derek Holland is an obvious candidate to return, but others looking to follow in his footsteps and re-establish their value (perhaps Shelby Miller) will also be considered.

The starting rotation is the one area where Zaidi may feel comfortable making a high-dollar, long-term signing as star Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is a player who could pay dividends for an organization short on high-end starting pitching prospects. Pursuing Kikuchi could become a big priority if the Giants do plan to trade Madison Bumgarner this winter.

3. Power hitters

After every Giants player failed to reached the 20-home run threshold for the third straight season, fans are clamoring for Zaidi to sign anyone who poses a consistent threat to hit the ball out of the park. Zaidi doesn’t need to land a Bryce Harper or Manny Machado-type (it’s highly unlikely he will) to accomplish this mission, but he may not need to spend as much as casual fans might think.

The Giants could pursue a mutual salary dump with another organization and give up Evan Longoria to take back a corner outfielder, or they could find the next Max Muncy, a multi-positional power hitter who had 215 career at-bats prior to hitting 35 homers for the Dodgers last season.

The free agent market isn’t ripe with options, so Zaidi may need to be creative and give up some value –perhaps a high-contact hitter like Joe Panik– to find a different type of value.

It’s no secret the Giants have one of the weaker farm systems in baseball as the organization lacks a high volume of prospects widely viewed as potential major league starters. Outside of the franchise’s top five prospects, the Giants have several raw talents but not enough prospect capital to depend on in the immediate future.

One of the best transactions former general manager Bobby Evans made was signing Dereck Rodríguez to a minor league deal last offseason, and it’s up to Zaidi to find similar ways to bolster the system. You’re not going to find a Rodríguez on an annual basis, but there are depth pieces to be had and failed starters who could turn into successful relievers with a change of scenery and different instruction.

Zaidi may not be able to overhaul the Giants’ system this winter, but a strong June amateur draft, an impressive 2019 international signing class and a willingness to shed tradable assets at next year’s deadline (if the Giants are out of contention) could go a long way toward improving the state of the farm.

5. Part-time catcher

The Giants still anticipate Buster Posey will be ready by Opening Day and hope top prospect Joey Bart can contribute by 2020, but even with reserve Aramis Garcia in the fold, the club may still look to sign a major-league caliber backstop to share some of Posey’s duties.

San Francisco may have other needs like adding a multi-positional infielder or another right-hander to the bullpen, but catcher feels a bit more pressing given Posey’s uncertain health status. A handful of other players have recovered from the hip surgery Posey had last August and returned to contribute in meaningful ways, but there’s no telling the impact a major operation will have on a player who must squat for nine innings at a time on a daily basis.

Nick Hundley is a candidate to rejoin the team on a one-year deal while Stephen Vogt and Matt Wieters are available if Zaidi would prefer a catcher who can hit from the left side.

Kerry Crowley is a multimedia beat reporter covering the San Francisco Giants. He spent his early days throwing curveballs in San Francisco’s youth leagues before studying journalism at Arizona State University. Kerry has covered every level of baseball, from local preps to the Cape Cod League, and is now on a quest to determine which Major League city serves the best cheeseburger.